Armstrong Agoreyo is a studio artist and art educator. He attended Federal College of Education Osiele, Abeokuta Ogun State in 2009 and holds a Bachelor of Art from the University of Benin, Edo State. In this interview, he says the advent of technology does not stop artists from making use of the canvass to paint but it only gives artists the opportunity to learn other methods of painting without the use of canvass.
Was art a deliberate decision for you?
Art was not my initial choice of study as I had always wanted to delve into the world of architecture. It was after my SSCE that I realised I needed to be a science student to be able to study architecture and I was an art student. I had to look for the closest to architecture and that was fine art. But I do not regret studying fine art as it gave me more freedom to express myself.
As a studio artist, how are you inspired?
Life generally inspires me; anything that tickles my fancy as well. Inspiration does not necessarily have to form a particular sphere; it all depends on what the soul craves at that moment. Music helps in channelling all my thoughts towards my canvass and I guess it is there I then put in what I feel like at that moment.
Can you tell us about the kind of work you do?
I am a studio artist and also an art educator; I spend most of my time educating and putting kids true the rudiments of being better artists and yet spend a few hours of my time in a day making art for my personal consumption.
What do you think makes your style of work unique?
People have generally referred to the kind of art I make as a paper collage but art scholars have described it as spontaneously paper collage paintings. My works are basically made out of extremely tiny paper cuts but create an artistic yet deceptive illusion in the eye of viewers from afar. One would initially think from first glance that it is all paintings made from pigment whereas they are all made from tiny paper cuts. My spontaneous paper paintings create a pallet knife and brush stroke effect that could be mistaken as oil paintings. I hope to teach my techniques to a wider audience.
There are thousands of artists and I believe it is the intention of most people to be the best or be at the top, what are you doing to carve a niche for yourself in the industry?
Carving a niche for one’s self as an artist isn’t easy, as talent is never enough to get the desired attention from the world. I choose to solve a problem in today’s world using art and that was what made me think outside the box using papers and not just papers but extremely tiny paper cuts. This technique and notch have really helped to project my works to the world faster than I thought.
Art is evolving with digital art and blockchain, do you think the people still using canvas should be worried?
The only constant thing in life is change. Any artist that does not take advantage of 21st Century methods of marking art should be ready to be worried. Technology has further helped artists to make better art and meet faster demands of clients hence there definitely would not be any need to be worried. The advent of technology does not stop artists from making use of canvass to paint; it only gives artists the opportunity to learn other methods of painting without the use of canvass.
What interests you most about the job you do?
I am able to recreate something out of nothing and being able to impart my knowledge of art to kids. It is a blessing.
As an art educator, why are there fewer artists in this line of work?
A lot of things actually discourage artists from delving into that field. One major reason is because of being caged in an environment for a number of hours. No artist loves to be caged and another reason is because of minimal pay involved. So, most artists prefer being freelance in a bid to be in control of their time. Being an educator is a virtue not everyone has.
What is the best thing art has given you?
Art has given me the freedom to create, recreate and record history in my own little way. The joy of being an artist is knowing your name will live on after you are gone through what we create.
Why are some Nigerian artists struggling?
It is because of the perception people have about art in this part of the world. An average Nigerian is struggling to get food on his table and not an art piece, this has greatly affected the sales of artwork in this part of the world thereby affecting artists’ sources of livelihood.
What are your plans to make your works known globally?
Plans are currently in place as we speak as I have attended quite a number of interviews both within and outside the country all in a bid to promote my art technique. I am also currently working on my solo exhibition.
Is there more to art for you than a means of making money?
Art is a means of expressing my innermost and deepest thoughts and not a means of making money. If I had my way, I would not sell my works but we have to. I think of how to get my works out successfully on my canvass before ever thinking of the monetary part. Some artists thought the money is an inspiration to them but I tell people that it is different folks with different strokes.
What are some challenges Nigerian artists face?
Poor patronage and the high cost of art materials are the greatest challenges we face.
What will you tell someone thinking of being an artist in Nigeria?
They should go for it but most importantly to find a way of carving a unique part in the art world for themselves to avoid getting frustrated. To be well known and recognised as an artist in this part of the world, you have to be willing to not make out time for your art but be willing to think outside the box all in a bid to sell yourself to the world.
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